NR 19.73 History
History: CR 03-029: cr.
Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04;
CR 08-021: am. (3) (a) (intro.), r. (3) (e)
Register November 2008 No. 635, eff. 12-1-08;
CR 09-024: renum. (3) (a) 4. to be (3) (a) 3.
Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10;
CR 15-054: cr. (1) (d), (e), (2) (a) 1m., r. and recr. (2) (d), cr. (2) (e), cr. (3) (a) 1m., 2m., r. and recr. (3) (d), cr. (3) (e)
Register July 2018 No. 751, eff. 8-1-18; correction in (3) (e) 6. made under s.
35.17, Stats.,
Register July 2018 No. 751;
CR 19-146: am. (1) (e) 1., (2) (b) 1., (3) (b) 2.
Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20.
NR 19.74(1)(1)
General. A person desiring to rehabilitate wildlife in Wisconsin shall submit all of the following information required by the department on an application form supplied by the department:
NR 19.74(1)(a)
(a) A signed consulting veterinarian agreement from a veterinarian who is willing to consult with the applicant and assist the applicant with care and treatment of wild animals being rehabilitated and who is in compliance with the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994.
NR 19.74(1)(b)
(b) For basic licenses, a signed sponsorship agreement from an advanced licensee who has agreed to sponsor the basic applicant.
NR 19.74(1)(c)
(c) For an advanced license applicant, a signed evaluation form from the advanced sponsor and consulting veterinarian which indicates compliance with s.
NR 19.73 (3).
NR 19.74(1)(d)
(d) Certification that the applicant has read and understands this subchapter and the code of ethics and that the applicant agrees to comply with all provisions of this subchapter and the code of ethics.
NR 19.74(1)(e)
(e) Written assurance from the applicant that the facility is in compliance with local ordinances and zoning regulations.
NR 19.74(2)
(2)
Outstate. The department may issue the appropriate rehabilitation license to an individual possessing a valid rehabilitators license or permit from another state or province, provided that the minimum requirements of the basic or advanced rehabilitators licenses described in this subchapter are met. Applicants shall satisfy all of the following criteria:
NR 19.74(2)(b)
(b) Possess a signed consulting veterinarian agreement from a veterinarian who is willing to consult with the applicant and assist the applicant with care and treatment of wildlife being rehabilitated.
NR 19.74(2)(c)
(c) Possess a signed letter of recommendation from a consulting veterinarian and a currently licensed rehabilitator, previous or current sponsor, current employer, or other individual which indicates compliance with s.
NR 19.73 (2) or
(3). A letter of recommendation shall include and reference specific training and experiences comparable to information on a basic level evaluation form.
NR 19.74(2)(d)
(d) Sign a certification that the applicant has read and understands this subchapter and that the applicant agrees to comply with all provisions of this subchapter.
NR 19.74(2)(e)
(e) Allow an inspection of facilities to assure that the applicant's facilities meet the requirements of s.
NR 19.77.
NR 19.74(3)
(3)
License renewal. An applicant for renewal of any rehabilitation license shall submit proof of having obtained at least one continuing education credit during the preceding license period. Qualifying continuing education credits are:
NR 19.74(3)(a)
(a) National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, or Wisconsin Wildlife Rehabilitator's Association workshops, classes, or conferences.
NR 19.74(3)(b)
(b) Participation in a research project, coursework, specialized rehabilitation care, or other activities, workshops, classes, or conferences which have been approved by the department.
NR 19.74 Note
Note: Wildlife rehabilitation application, evaluation form, sponsorship agreement, veterinary agreements, and the code of ethics will be available at
http://dnr.wi.gov/ or upon request at DNR Service Centers, by writing the Bureau of Wildlife Management, PO Box 7921, 101 S. Webster St., Madison, WI 53707-7921 or by calling 1-888-936-7463.
NR 19.74 History
History: CR 03-029: cr.
Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04;
CR 15-054: am. (1) (a), (b), (d), cr. (1) (e), renum. (2) to (2) (intro.) and am., cr. (2) (a) to (e), (3)
Register July 2018 No. 751, eff. 8-1-18; (1) (title) and (2) (title) created under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats.,
Register July 2018 No. 751.
NR 19.75(1)(1)
A person desiring a basic or an advanced license to rehabilitate wildlife in Wisconsin shall take a written examination, provided and administered by the department, and score 80% or greater.
NR 19.75(2)
(2) The examination shall be prepared or recommended by the wildlife rehabilitation advisory council, subject to the approval of the department, and administered by a representative of the department.
NR 19.75(3)
(3) An applicant failing to correctly answer at least 80 percent of the questions on the examination described in this section may not be issued a license but may repeat the exam 30 days after the examination was completed.
NR 19.75(4)
(4) The department shall provide an examination study guide and other information regarding wildlife rehabilitation to each applicant upon request.
NR 19.75 Note
Note: The wildlife rehabilitation study guide will be available at
http://dnr.wi.gov/ or upon request at DNR Service Centers, by writing the Bureau of Wildlife Management, PO Box 7921, 101 S. Webster St., Madison, WI 53707-7921 or by calling 1-888-936-7463.
NR 19.75 History
History: CR 03-029: cr.
Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04;
CR 15-054: am. (1), (2)
Register July 2018 No. 751, eff. 8-1-18.
NR 19.76(1)(1)
By accepting a license under this section a licensee consents to the facility inspection requirements established in s.
169.37, Stats., by the department and its agents.
NR 19.76(2)
(2) An applicant for a license under this section shall allow inspection of the applicant's facilities.
NR 19.76(2m)
(2m) Before an inspection, the applicant must complete and submit to the department a caging report which includes pictures of each cage or enclosure at the applicant's facility.
NR 19.76 Note
Note: Wildlife rehabilitation caging report is available at
http://dnr.wi.gov/ or upon request at DNR Service Centers, by writing the Bureau of Wildlife Management, PO Box 7921, 101 S. Webster St., Madison, WI 53707-7921 or by calling 1-888-936-7463.
NR 19.76(3)
(3) Following an inspection, the department may do any of the following:
NR 19.76(3)(a)
(a) Remove any wildlife if it is in the best interest of the animals until the facility complies with the standards established in s.
NR 19.77.
NR 19.76(3)(b)
(b) Deny the licensee or applicant the privilege to rehabilitate certain species until licensee or applicant can prove that the rehabilitation facilities are in compliance with this subchapter.
NR 19.76(3)(c)
(c) Suspend a rehabilitation license for 30 days to allow a licensee's facilities to be brought into compliance.
NR 19.76(3)(d)
(d) Allow a licensee under this subchapter a specified period of time to comply with s.
NR 19.77 without revocation or suspension of license privileges designated in this subchapter.
NR 19.77(1)(1)
General operating standards. Prior to engaging in wildlife rehabilitation activities, protocols for disease prevention and transmission, euthanasia, pharmaceutical use, pest control, carcass and biological waste disposal and adequate veterinary care shall be established by the licensee and reviewed and signed by licensee's consulting veterinarian. Wildlife being rehabilitated shall be subject to all of the following conditions:
NR 19.77(1)(a)
(a) If suspected of having an infectious disease, be quarantined in areas designated for that purpose.
NR 19.77(1)(b)
(b) Be kept separated from human living quarters and activities.
NR 19.77(1)(c)
(c) Have no contact with captive wildlife licensed under ch.
169, Stats., with the exception of other wildlife held under a rehabilitation license.
NR 19.77(1)(d)
(d) Have no contact with the general public unless specifically authorized by the department for educational purposes.
NR 19.77(1)(e)
(e) Be kept in enclosures at all times, and have contact with the licensee or designated volunteers only to the extent necessary to provide adequate care and treatment.
NR 19.77(1)(f)
(f) Not be tamed, used as pets, held with domestic animals or habituated to humans.
NR 19.77(1)(g)
(g) Be of compatible species when housed together, and not pose a threat to health or well-being of other wildlife in the same enclosure.
NR 19.77(1)(h)
(h) Be raised with other wild animals of the same species held under the authority of a rehabilitation license whenever appropriate and possible, to ensure proper species orientation.
NR 19.77(2)(a)(a) Enclosures shall be structurally sound, of sufficient strength for species involved, and maintained in good repair to prevent escape or injury to wildlife being rehabilitated. All structures built after July 1, 2016 shall be in compliance with the Minimum Standards of the National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association and International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council except that, if enclosures are structurally sound, of sufficient strength for species involved, and maintained in good repair to prevent escape or injury, the department may determine standards have been met which fulfill the requirements of this paragraph.
NR 19.77 Note
Note: National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association and International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council minimum standards for enclosures are available at
http://dnr.wi.gov/ or upon request at DNR Service Centers, by writing the Bureau of Wildlife Management, PO Box 7921, 101 S. Webster St., Madison, WI 53707-7921 or by calling 1-888-936-7463.
NR 19.77(2)(b)
(b) Enclosures shall be constructed to allow sufficient space for individual posture and social movements, unless medical treatment necessitates restricted mobility.
NR 19.77(2)(c)
(c) All outdoor wildlife enclosures shall have protective devices at entrances and exits to prevent escapes.
NR 19.77(2)(e)
(e) No exposed sharp objects, ponds with steeply sloped banks, toxic paints or sealants, poisonous vegetation or other hazardous items may be used in the construction of enclosures.
NR 19.77(2)(f)
(f) Enclosures shall have visual barriers to restrict wildlife's view of humans, domestic animals, and other species being rehabilitated to reduce inappropriate imprinting, socialization, habituation or stress.
NR 19.77(3)(a)
(a) Ambient temperatures shall be sufficient for species involved.
NR 19.77(3)(b)
(b) Adequate ventilation by means of windows, doors, vents, fans or air conditioning shall be provided to protect wildlife health and to minimize drafts, odors and condensation.
NR 19.77(3)(c)
(c) Adequate lighting shall be provided by artificial or natural means and cycled for appropriate photoperiod for species involved.
NR 19.77(3)(d)
(d) Adequate shade, weatherproof shelters, nest boxes, perches and dens shall be provided to protect wildlife from inclement weather and direct sun.
NR 19.77(3)(e)
(e) Wildlife being rehabilitated shall be gradually acclimated before being exposed to extreme outdoor conditions.
NR 19.77(4)(a)
(a) Adequate feeding schedules shall be maintained for species involved unless medical treatment necessitates restricted food intake.
NR 19.77(4)(b)
(b) All food shall be palatable, free of contamination, and of sufficient quantity and nutritive value.
NR 19.77(4)(c)
(c) Wildlife's diets shall be supplemented with vitamins and minerals when necessary for species involved.
NR 19.77(4)(d)
(d) Food receptacles shall be appropriately sized, easily accessible, kept sanitary and safe.
NR 19.77(5)(a)
(a) Fresh uncontaminated water for drinking shall be provided at all times unless medical treatment necessitates restricted water intake.
NR 19.77(5)(b)
(b) Water, separate from drinking water, shall be provided for species requiring bathing, swimming or misting unless medical treatment necessitates restricted water exposure.
NR 19.77(5)(c)
(c) Water receptacles shall be appropriately sized, easily accessible, kept sanitary and safe.
NR 19.77(6)(a)
(a) Removal and disposal of wildlife food wastes, feces and urine, bedding, carcasses, trash, garbage, and debris from the enclosure and premises shall be performed frequently to maintain sanitary conditions and protect wildlife and human health.
NR 19.77(6)(b)
(b) Cages, rooms, hard surfaced pens, kennels, runs, equipment, and food and water receptacles shall be sanitized between each wildlife use to prevent disease transmission.
NR 19.77(6)(c)
(c) Excess water shall be drained from enclosures and may not drain into neighboring enclosures.
NR 19.77(6)(d)
(d) Wildlife in enclosures shall be protected from contact with cleaning activities and chemicals.
NR 19.78
NR 19.78 Care and treatment of wildlife. NR 19.78(1)(1)
Any orphaned, sick or injured wildlife, except endangered or threatened species, that the licensee determines is not capable of being rehabilitated or having a reasonable chance of survival in the wild shall be treated under one of the following options:
NR 19.78(1)(d)
(d) Retained for the purpose of long-term care at the direction of the department.
NR 19.78(2)
(2) A licensee shall notify the department within 48 hours of receipt of federal or state endangered or threatened species.
NR 19.78(3)
(3) State endangered or threatened species may be euthanized and disposed of only under direction of the department.
NR 19.78(4)
(4) Federally endangered or threatened migratory birds may only be euthanized and disposed of under the direction of the migratory bird permit office, United States fish and wildlife service, and the department.
NR 19.78(5)
(5) Federally endangered or threatened mammals shall only be euthanized and disposed of under direction of the endangered species permit office of the United States fish and wildlife service and the department.
NR 19.78(6)
(6) No licensee may keep any orphaned, sick or injured migratory bird for the purpose of rehabilitation, including birds not ready for release prior to the onset of cold weather, longer than 180 days unless an extension is granted by the migratory bird permit office of the United States fish and wildlife service, and the department for each individual case.
NR 19.78(7)
(7) No licensee may keep any orphaned, sick or injured wildlife for the purpose of rehabilitation, including wildlife not ready for release prior to the onset of cold weather, longer than 180 days unless an extension is granted by the department for each individual case.
NR 19.78(8)
(8) When the licensee determines that the injured or sick wildlife have sufficiently recovered, or orphaned wildlife has matured to an age where there is reasonable chance for survival in the wild, wildlife shall be released at an appropriate location with landowner permission unless otherwise authorized by the department.
